Construction of forts.



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' CNSTRUCTION 0F FORTS.

(Application ledAug. 21. 1901,)

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

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No. 701,922. Pate'nted June I0, |902. P. J. NELSN. GNSTRUCTIONI 0F-F0RTSV.

(Application filed Aug. 21. 1901,.)

3 Sheets* Sheet 2` (No Model.)

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, Patented lune IO, |902.

P. J. NELSON. CONSTRUCTION 0F FORTS.

(Application filed Aug. 21, 1901,)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

(N0 Model.)

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'UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.v

y PETER J. NELSON, on BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

CONSTRUCTION OF FORTS.

SPECIFICATION formalism of Letters-Patent'Navoneez, dated rune 1o, 1902.

Washington street, Baltimore, in theState of Maryland, have invented new` and useful Im-, provements in the Construction ofQForts, ofV

which the following is. aspecication.

My invention relates to improvements in the construction of forts or fortificationses-,

pecially designed for the defence of harbors. A primary object of the invention is to pro- 4.vide a composite structure which will be practically proof` against ammunition.

A further Object of the improvement is to provide within the structure convenient means for the transportation of ammunition.

These and such other objects as may be disclosed hereinafter are eected by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically describedin connection with them and defined in the appeuded claims. y y p In tl1e drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram showing a plan view of the fort and the'ar rangement with relation thereto of the barricade of pilesand the search-lights employed' as a feature of the improvement. Fig.l 2 is a plan View of the -fort on an ,enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe same. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 44'Of Fig.2. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line'5'5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectional view, on anten-A larged scale, illustrating the 'construction of the composite armor-plate `from which "the fort is constructed.

As illustrated in Fig. l, to be located at the entrance of a harbor, and is supported upon a substructure of masonry, designated by the reference-numeral 1. At a distance of two miles, more or less, vfrom the fortis arranged acontinuous series of piles 2, forming a barrica'de, which incloses the fort and protecltsit from torpedoes .or torpedo-boats, eitherV onv the surface or submerged. i

The numeral 3 designates a plurality of electric lights located ata distance from-the fort along the shore-line and being connected by an electric circuit 4 with the fort, as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the general contour of the fort the fort is designed Appiimion sled Auguai, 1901. sain no. 72.837. (No man.)

structure approximates the shape of a halfdiamond, the side walls 4 and 5 of which are oppositely inclined to Ypresent oblique suring the'fort squarely. From the upper edges of the sides 4 and. 5 the roof of the structure .is inolineddown'ward, forming the oblique surfaces 6 and 7, and from the rear edges of fthe roof-sections 6 and 7 extend the inclined rear walls 8 and 9, which are connected to the ends of-Qthe sides 4 and 5 by inclined walls 10 andvll.Y The structure is composed of an inner layer 12 of steel of about six inches in lthickness, an adjoining layer 13 of the same thickness of paper, an outer layer 15 of about eighteen inches in thickness of steel, and a layer 14 of rubber interposed between the layers l13 and 15. These several layers or thicknesses of material are firmly bolted together by bolts 16.

As clearly shown in the several views of thev drawings, theside Walls 4 and 5 `are each zformed with two horizontal rows of port-holes, .designated, respectively, by the numerals 17 and=18.

Within the fort and extending along the sides thereofbetween the two rows of portholes is a platform 19, upon which are sup` ported guns 20, projected through the upper row of port-holes,"`as shown by dotted lines in Fig. I4. Below the platform 19 Aupon the door 21 another series of guns is placed in positionto project through the port-hole 17, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4. l Adjacent to the platform 19 1 provide a railway-track 22, upon which suitable cars may travel for supplying ammunition to the guns.

The construction provides ample room for the storing of ammunition, and the employment ofthe search-lights controlled from the fort enables the occupants of the forttoannoy the enemy at night by illuminating at points distant from the fort, while the latter is kept in darkness.

I would have it understood that I reserve the right to make all such changes and modi- 1. A fortification structure having its roof and side walls inclined at varying angles, a

platform within the structure, a plurality of rows of port-holes and a search-light having an electric connection with the structure.

2. A fortication structure comprising a base of masonry and inclined top and sides formed of a composite plate consisting of inner and outer layers of steel, a layer of paper adjoining the inner steel layer and a layer of rubber interposed between the outer steel layer and the layer of paper.

3. A fortification structure comprising oppositely-inclined side Walls, a roof inclined at dierent angles, thereby avoiding the exposure of ilat surfaces to the fire of the enemy, a platform located Within the structure and tracks adjacent to said platform for the transportation of ammunition.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature inl presence of tivo Witnesses.

PETER J. NELSON.

Witnesses:

JOHN S. MARQUETTE, E. WALTON BREWINGTON. 

